BJS FY25 National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP) Assessment | Apply Online

FAQs: BJS National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP) Assessment Cooperative Agreement

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) discretionary cooperative agreement to fund an assessment of BJS's National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP), the federal data collection effort developed in response to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

What is the National Prison Rape Statistics Program (NPRSP)?

NPRSP is BJS's federal program for collecting and producing statistics related to sexual victimization in custody. It includes surveys that draw on both administrative records and direct information from people held in custody across prisons, jails, and juvenile justice facilities.

Why is BJS funding an assessment of NPRSP now?

Since PREA was enacted about two decades ago, BJS has built a substantial set of NPRSP surveys and related products. This opportunity supports a structured review of that existing system to make NPRSP data more useful for policy, oversight, research, and public understanding while reducing unnecessary reporting workload on agencies and facilities that provide data or support survey operations.

What are the main goals of the project?

The project aims to (1) evaluate the current NPRSP design and how well it functions, (2) consult with stakeholders who use or help produce NPRSP data, and (3) provide recommendations that improve data utility and clarity while minimizing burden, cost, and disruption for reporting agencies and facilities.

What are the three main areas the funded work is expected to cover?

The work is expected to focus on:

• Program evaluation: Reviewing NPRSP's current design and operations, including what data are collected and how well current products address key questions about sexual victimization in custody.
• Stakeholder consultation: Engaging the communities that use NPRSP data or help produce it.
• Recommendations: Developing practical options to improve utility, clarity, and actionability while reducing burden on data providers and facilities.

What does "evaluate BJS's current NPRSP program design" mean in practice?

Based on the description, this includes examining what data are currently collected, how consistent and comparable the information is across facility types and jurisdictions, and how well existing NPRSP products answer important questions about sexual victimization in custody.

Who are the stakeholders expected to be consulted?

The opportunity indicates stakeholder consultation may include corrections administrators, data providers, PREA-related practitioners, researchers, and potentially advocacy or oversight communities.

What kinds of improvements is BJS looking for through this assessment?

The assessment is intended to generate implementable options for modernizing NPRSP so that BJS can continue meeting PREA-related measurement needs while adapting to changes in the field and in survey/data science best practices. The emphasis is on improving usefulness and clarity of the data while also minimizing burden and cost to the facilities and agencies involved.

Is this project limited to a descriptive review, or is it expected to lead to changes?

It is not intended to be only a descriptive review. A key deliverable is a set of findings that can guide possible methodological changes in the future.

What potential methodological topics could the recommendations address?

The opportunity explicitly notes that findings may inform future decisions about:

• Sampling approaches: How facilities or individuals are selected and how representation across different institution types is ensured.
• Data collection methods: Survey modes, administrative data extraction processes, and approaches intended to improve data quality and response rates.
• Dissemination efforts: How results are released, documented, and made accessible to different audiences.

What does it mean that the award will be a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement structure typically means BJS will remain actively involved during the project, rather than providing a hands-off grant.

Which federal agency is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 16.739.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are broad and include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other qualified entities.

How many awards does BJS expect to make?

BJS expects to make a single award.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum (ceiling) award amount is $500,000.

What is the application deadline?

The application closing date listed is May 4, 2026.

When was this grant opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 30, 2026.

What types of facilities and systems does NPRSP cover?

NPRSP surveys draw on information across prisons, jails, and juvenile justice facilities, using both administrative records and direct information from people held in custody.

What is the intended impact for agencies and facilities that provide data?

The opportunity emphasizes reducing unnecessary reporting workload and minimizing burden, cost, and disruption for agencies and facilities that report data or facilitate survey operations, while still improving the usefulness of the resulting statistics.